The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1887-10-20
Ex-PRIsoNERs OF WAR.
What They Are Doing Throughout the Country.
CIRCULAR FROM THE PRESIDENT.


CIRCULAR FROM THE PRESIDENT.
To UNION Ex-PRIsowERs OF WAR.
DEAR COMRADES: The annual meeting of the 1
National Association of Union Ex-Prisoners of /
War, held in the city of Chicago Sept. 81 and %,
lss7, meageriy represented by the various State |
Associations, developed one two facts 1. G.,
either ineectiveness of the system of organization
a great and inexcusable lack of sympathy with |
the cause and hearty cooperation on the part of /
state Associations with the National Association.
In the full discussion of the question of the per-
petuation of State Associations, the fact de |
yelOped that in several of our largest States in |
which resided many ex-prisoners of war; were |
found associations of Union ex-prisoners number [
ing memberships of from leo to 800 working with
out charters from either the National or State As
sOciatiOns, and without legal delegate representa-
ton in either; organized for mere social inter
course. totally disqualified from participation in the
originally designed meTitorous work and purposes
OF the association thus neutrazing the power and
influence OF the National Association in its attempts
TO secure legislation in the interest of exprisoners
in the many forms required.
The National Association, in It's wisdom after due
elaboration resolved unanimously. by amending
the Constitution, to remove the eumbrous and APP
parently ineffective division of State and Local
Associations by abolishing all State Associations,
making 10 the duty of all local associations in the
several States and Territories to obtain their char
tiers from, and to report directly to- the National
Association, with headquarters at Washington city.
thus concentrating all our forces and bringing all
into line, which trust will draw the whole body
OF Union ex-prsoners of war into closer relations
for efficient work, and make the whole body more
compact and easier handled through one and the
same headquarters, thus securing the abolition of
charter fees to States and the reduction of charter
fees to the National Association which must of
necessity greatly facilitate the formation of local
associations in neighborhoods in which there are
but few comrades residing.
sincerely trust that the wisdom of all State and
local associations will prevail and that full co-ope
ration viii be accorded to the action of the National
Association in the matter of the change created,
bearing in mind that the National Association
under the delegated authority of local associations
IS the only channel through which desired results
interest X-Dr a.
tional legislation can be secured
We need combined effort in the matter of secur-
ing this legislation, but before this be accom-
plished it is important that the full and hearty
operation of all ex-prisoners shall be secured
through the channel of the National Association,
heartily supported by all local associations in the
respective States and Territories. and as cannot
hope for success until we are thus united and work
ing under one and the same head, urge upon all
Union ex-prisoners TO organize at once and be pre-
pared to assist the National Association in all its
efforts to secure the desired ends.
w. II. POWELL, President.
In order that the suggestions made in the
foregoing address of the President of the Ma
tional Association may be carried out, he has
appointed Maj. l.. p. Williams, of Washington,
ID. c., Secretary and Treasurer, who has opened
an Office in Room 2, No. 1910 street n. W.,
in this city, where he is now ready to transact
all business connected with the association,
and where all persons desiring information in
regard to it can communicate with him.
KANSAS.
EDITOR NATIONAL TRIBUNE: We held our
meeting on the 9TH inst. at Mound Valley, Kan
Twenty-Five of the old ex-prisoners answered to
their names. Several more would have been
there, but owing to sickness and other causes
could not attend. We have on our roll AZ
members, and have each ones history of capt
ure, names of prisons confined in, and when and
where paroled or exchanged. At a previous
meeting, held in Parsons, Kan, We changed the
name of our association to the Southeastern
Kansas Union Elk Prisoners of War AssOcia-
tion," our jurisdiction consisting of the
Counties of Labette, Cherokee, Crawford,
NeoshO, Montgomery and Wilson. Our Presi-
dent, w. F. GriersOn, who lectures in the adj
joining Counties, says there are very few of the
old prisoners in the Counties spoken of, and
that all he could find said they would like to
join our association; that they were not numer-
Gus enough to start local associations. We
therefore changed out County organizations
name so they can join US. At our last meeting
we Endorsed the Pension bill adopted at the
National Association held in Chicago, Sept. %,
1887, for ex-prisoners of war. We also Endorsed
the action Of the National Association in doing
away with the State Associations and having
local associations report directly to the National
Association. Our next meeting will be held in
Girard, Crawford Co., Kan, second Thursday
in January, 1888. After adjournment of meet
ing we were entertained by the GAR. Post of
Mound Valley with "bean banquet" and
Campfire. All voted that our meeting was a
profitable and enjoyable one.-GEo. P. HALL,
Oswego, Kan.
MISSOURI.
1t having been previously arranged to be
| held at Turner's Hail. North st. Louis, on the
| 29th of September, large and enthusiastic
number being present, the association called
Comrade John s. Ferguson to the chair, and
COmrade A. Schrader acted as Secretary pro
/ TEN. After some remarks by the Chairman as
/ to the objects and purposes of the association,
| they proceeded to a permanent organization by
eleeting Jno. s. Ferguson President, Co. +, 2Sth
| Iowa. Jefferson City; George w. Griffin Vice
| President, Co. /, 81st Ind, Salem; Charles f.
Burger Secretary and Treasurer, Co. f, 10th
| vi. 5. NJ, Jefferson City, and Thos. b. Rodgers,
10th Pa, st. Louis, Representative to the Ma
tiOnal Association; also, to present resolutions
to the National Encampment TO be approved
/ by that body-the resolutions as passed at Chi
cago Sept. % 1SS7-as being the voice of this
association, to wit: "Those who were in prison
three months to receive quarter pension; six
months, half pension; nine months three
quarter pension, and those more than nine
months full pension; also to receive 81 per day
| while confined in prison." The association
fixed the membership fee at so cents. The
| President was authorized to secure certificates
and badges at price within the means of the
association. The annual meetings will be held
at the same time and place of the Department.
Encampment of the GAR. in Missouri. The
association is subject to the call of the Presi-
dent. All communications will be addressed
to the President at Jefferson City, No.